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  #1  
Old 08-27-2019, 12:07 PM
Pofoo Pofoo is offline
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Default Outdoor tv antenna

I'm getting ready to get rid of cable and I looking for info on a outdoor tv antenna. I'm in Los Alamitos, Ca. I'm in direct line of sight, about 28 miles, from Mt. Wilson, the major site of local transmitters. There are other transmitters that MAY be worth while accessing, but are probably not critical.
Prices range from about $40 to $100 plus.
I think I probably don't need the absolute best, but I don't want to cheap out either.
So--
Omni directional or directional?
Amplified or not?
Question here is will I pick up interference from the many other sources--airports, police, military, etc.
Thanks in advance.
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  #2  
Old 08-27-2019, 12:58 PM
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I threw a $30 rca on the side of my house and it picks up about 125 channels, about 75% of them come through perfectly, but at least half are foreign language, home shopping, and religious channels. I still get the news and games, wife can watch bachelor, etc

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  #3  
Old 08-27-2019, 5:24 PM
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We have one of these and it works great. Picks up all the channels crystal clear, HD channels look excellent, never flakes out. The reviews speak for themselves. Can't beat it for the price.

TV Antenna - RCA Outdoor Yagi Satellite HD Antenna w/ 150 Mile Range (70+ Miles from Broadcast Epicenter) Attic or Roof Mount TV Antenna, Long Range Digital OTA Antenna for Clear Reception, 4K 1080P https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024R4B5C..._NDDzDbC4076PQ

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
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  #4  
Old 08-27-2019, 5:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrFancyPants View Post
We have one of these and it works great. Picks up all the channels crystal clear, HD channels look excellent, never flakes out. The reviews speak for themselves. Can't beat it for the price.

TV Antenna - RCA Outdoor Yagi Satellite HD Antenna w/ 150 Mile Range (70+ Miles from Broadcast Epicenter) Attic or Roof Mount TV Antenna, Long Range Digital OTA Antenna for Clear Reception, 4K 1080P https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024R4B5C..._NDDzDbC4076PQ

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
I might pickup one of these.
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  #5  
Old 08-27-2019, 5:56 PM
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Quote:
Question here is will I pick up interference from the many other sources--airports, police, military, etc.
Definitely not an issue. I have the same old directional flat antenna been on roof since 1974. Get 125 channels. Lots of foreign language but just delete them off access list on the tv.
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  #6  
Old 08-27-2019, 7:59 PM
RBShooter RBShooter is offline
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I'm 32 miles from Mt.Wilson at 33 degrees, and I just put this in my attic last week. I get 155 channels...mostly useless! However, the local networks come thru loud and clear and in HDTV.

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Directiona.../dp/B00DNJZ58M

EDIT: Cuda440 is almost right, lol. I'd say it's more like 85% are Mexican/Asian, shopping, GodTV channels.

Last edited by RBShooter; 08-28-2019 at 5:41 AM..
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  #7  
Old 08-28-2019, 5:22 AM
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I am still using the same standard VHF/UHF antenna on a mast that I purchased at Radio Shack 30 years ago.

I am right on the border line between two market areas (Chico/Redding and Sacramento). The antenna is currently pointed north, as the rotator died years ago. I receive about a dozen channels. If I could crank it around to the south, I would pick up a couple of dozen more.

I don't watch TV anyway, so it really doesn't matter.
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  #8  
Old 08-28-2019, 12:23 PM
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Im getting a Solid 70 miles across the SF Bay Area. From South Bay to North Bay. I bought the large mast Clear Station antenna 4 years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/ClearStream-I.../dp/B001BRXW74

The others stuff never worked and I wasted $100. Might as well buy the best.
Best Buy carries Clear Stream products.

You want to see where the broadcast towers are to see if you need multi directional. See the Map https://otadtv.com/tvtower/index.html

There is also Locost.org ... a streaming service that streams local tv stations from major cities. https://www.locast.org/markets/. Donate $5 per month. So if you are anywhere you can tune in LA, NYC, and other distant channels including the Sub Channels. Also on Roku box.

If you want Free Cable Channels ... streaming for that too... Free.
http://watchnewslive.tv. and CNN MSBC TNT and other major cable channels...etc etc.

Want to watch Fox News programs go to Youtube, users are posting up to date Cable news, Hannity, Tucker, Ingram..... also on Roku Box.

Last edited by SVGUY; 08-28-2019 at 12:26 PM..
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  #9  
Old 08-29-2019, 6:58 PM
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I live in fullerton near harbor orangethorpe i bought a indoor antenna on amazon for about 20-30 bucks its a thin paper like antenna for indoor it picks up quite a bit of channels all locals 2,4,5,7,9,11,13 and their offsets.Also picks ups alot of other channels i mainly watch charge and grit tv every night and other offsets on the weekends.
I could do without direct tv but wife and kids wont.I put this antenna outside and it worked good too.
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  #10  
Old 08-29-2019, 7:22 PM
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I bought the square beam antenna at Frys , I had the cable and the mast .the old antenna broke. This one was 100$ . It has a 75 mile range and it gives a clear picture. I have read the Frys look empty now.
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  #11  
Old 08-31-2019, 2:32 PM
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DO IT!! We cut the cable over 8 years ago and havent missed a thing.
We use netflix for shows and movies. Antenna on the chimney for local shows and fake news.

You shouldn't have any interference from stuff. If you can mount the antenna outdoors on a pole above your roof line, that is the BEST way. If you get 50% signal inside, you should get 80-90 outside. Use a good directional. Directional antennas have a 45 degree aiming point. So you can split the difference between transmitter sites you have multiple.

You don't need an amplifier for 28 miles. That is a small distance for radio waves, specifically the ones transmitting at the power TV stations do.
Here is my setup. Much stronger than the store purchased mounts.
Unistrut, threaded rod, nuts/washers, and 1 1/2 conduit. This one is 20 feet. Have had zero problems.





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Last edited by Jongage; 08-31-2019 at 2:40 PM.. Reason: more info
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  #12  
Old 09-01-2019, 7:14 AM
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also a great option if you still have internet.........PLUTO TV !
it is totally free, will also run on cell phones. it has a great menu and has never skipped a beat. (pluto tv is also loaded on vizio tv from the factory)
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Old 09-01-2019, 2:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cuda440 View Post
I threw a $30 rca on the side of my house and it picks up about 125 channels, about 75% of them come through perfectly, but at least half are foreign language, home shopping, and religious channels. I still get the news and games, wife can watch bachelor, etc

I put similar one on a boat antenna poll. I bolted to the side of the house vs. going up on the roof.


Last edited by sl0re10; 09-03-2019 at 11:53 AM..
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  #14  
Old 09-02-2019, 12:33 PM
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Thanks everyone
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  #15  
Old 11-09-2019, 9:55 PM
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Got a generic OTA antenna at Home Depot, with signal boosters at both TVs. Works great.
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  #16  
Old 11-10-2019, 8:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pofoo View Post
I'm getting ready to get rid of cable and I looking for info on a outdoor tv antenna. I'm in Los Alamitos, Ca. I'm in direct line of sight, about 28 miles, from Mt. Wilson, the major site of local transmitters. There are other transmitters that MAY be worth while accessing, but are probably not critical.
Prices range from about $40 to $100 plus.
I think I probably don't need the absolute best, but I don't want to cheap out either.
So--
Omni directional or directional?
Amplified or not?
Question here is will I pick up interference from the many other sources--airports, police, military, etc.
Thanks in advance.
You can actually pic up quite a few channels using nothing but a striped piece of coax cable. Just run it up into the air.
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  #17  
Old 12-19-2019, 2:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by therealnickb View Post
You can actually pic up quite a few channels using nothing but a striped piece of coax cable. Just run it up into the air.
Can you be more specific on how long? Is best?
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  #18  
Old 02-12-2020, 10:35 PM
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My outdoor antenna is inside. Signals are affected by weather/atmospheric conditions and sometimes the antenna needs to be moved around a bit for better reception.

Interestingly, analog 'Snow' has been replaced by digital Pixelation, or 'Mosaic' as the Missus is wont to call it
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  #19  
Old 02-12-2020, 11:05 PM
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Has anyone run two antennas on one cable? Put them far enough apart from each other so they don't interfere, but point them at two different sources.
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  #20  
Old 02-13-2020, 3:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wpage View Post
Can you be more specific on how long? Is best?
The stripped copper only needs to be 8” or so.
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  #21  
Old 02-13-2020, 7:40 AM
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Plastic dies in the sun



Lots of the cheaper outdoor models have plastic....

what ever you buy- cry once- buy the correct one Once....

no plastic
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  #22  
Old 02-21-2020, 1:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrFancyPants View Post
We have one of these and it works great. Picks up all the channels crystal clear, HD channels look excellent, never flakes out. The reviews speak for themselves. Can't beat it for the price.

TV Antenna - RCA Outdoor Yagi Satellite HD Antenna w/ 150 Mile Range (70+ Miles from Broadcast Epicenter) Attic or Roof Mount TV Antenna, Long Range Digital OTA Antenna for Clear Reception, 4K 1080P https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024R4B5C..._NDDzDbC4076PQ

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Thanks for posting this...just threw one in my attic. Scanned and got 170 OTA channels. All rock solid. USA-made was an unexpected bonus.

ETA: I’m southeast and line-of-sight to Mt Wilson about 15 miles away.

ETA2: A buddy got one of these to DVR the OTA shows. It’s a little finicky, and you have to supply the HDD, but it works. The price sure is right. Going to give it a try.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01EW098..._w6fuEbJCTV6E8
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Last edited by joefrank64k; 02-21-2020 at 1:55 PM..
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  #23  
Old 02-21-2020, 2:18 PM
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How much does a hill influence signal? We are right next to a hill north side.

.
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